Tag: los angeles electrician

Fast, Friendly, & Affordable Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

professional electricianFor many homeowners, the thought of hiring an electrician often comes after an emergency or when performing a remodeling or new construction. Before you actually need an electrician, it’s important to do the research to find a good one in case something comes up. By finding a professional electrician you can trust, you will be sure that you will have help when you truly need it.

The easiest way to find an electrician you can trust is to have them come out periodically for home inspections. This way, your electrician can become familiar with your home if an emergency were to arise. Regular inspections of your home electrical system can also help find potential issues that you might not be aware of.

Finding the right electrician is an important task due to how much of your home relies on your electrical system. Your electrical system is the backbone of your home. Without it, you would not be able to do anything other than sit in darkness. If your electrical system is failing, you can be without power for days – or worse, it can cause a fire and you will be without a home.

When researching an electrician for your next electrical project, be sure to get multiple bids and check out the validity of your electrician choice. There are few things to look out for when choosing your next electrician:

1. Education and Experience: A good electrician will have a couple years of experience under his or her belt. Be sure to check all their certificates to ensure that have passed the proper tests in order to do work in your state.

2. Permits: Most cities require permits to be pulled for switching out a simple light switch. So if you require a permit, make sure your electrician can help you out here. A professional electrician may even be able to do this for you.

3. License: Many states require electricians to be properly licensed. Be sure to check that your electrician has a proper license and it is up to date. Another good thing to check for is insurance. That way if anything goes wrong with the job, you’re covered.

4. Reviews: Getting good feedback from someone you are going to hire to come into your home is always a good thing. You can check their website for reviews or other social sites, such as Yelp or Google My Business. Make sure the electrician you have chosen has positive feedback from their customers.

Finding a fast and friendly electrician isn’t hard if you follow the steps above. Once you find an electrician near you, you will be set if an emergency electrical situation should arise.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and are looking for proficient, understanding and honest electrical experts, we hope you will consider using The Electric Connection of Los Angeles for your electrical work. Whether it’s for a new installation of electrical equipment, or repair of any part of your existing electrical system, we honestly feel that we can provide you with electrical services unparalleled by any other Los Angeles electrical contractors.

Installing Recessed Lighting for Dramatic Effect

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

los angeles recessed lightingRecessed lighting can make an old room stunning again. By installing recessed lighting, you can make any room in your home look and feel brand new. Most people think you need to have access to the attic or tear up the ceilings to install new lighting, but that actually isn’t the case! With the help of a professional electrician, you can install recessed lighting in any room of your home.

If you’re thinking about adding new recessed lighting in your home but don’t want to create a mess, you’re in luck. A licensed electrician can help you get recessed lighting installed with no hassle at all. The only clean up necessary is a little bit of patching work. With a simple, small slot cut into the ceiling, an electrician is able to thread the wires through. This helps complete the project with minimal damage to your home.

Recessed lighting, or canned lighting, is a great way to accent different areas in a room. It’s great for kitchens to help illuminate different countertops but can be used in really any situation. This type of lighting is made of metal light housings that are installed just about the ceiling. The only thing visible is a small trim and a little bit of inner baffle. They are usually from 3″ to 6″ in diameter.

Canned lights are best used in situations that required illumination only, rooms with low ceilings, and in areas that require waterproofing. In addition to use in the kitchen, showers are a great place to install recessed lighting. It’s usually unwise to use them in situations that require a directional light or near insulation.

It’s best to discuss all of your concerns with your electrician before starting a new lighting project. They will help you understand what type of lighting is best in every area of your home. The electrician will tell you what you need and where you need it. When you work with a professional electrician, you can be sure that your next lighting project will be completed efficiently and correctly.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing homeowners and businesses alike with expert electrical services for over 35 Years. We’ve built a company of highly experienced, certified electricians to serve your electrical needs.

How To Know if Your Panel Needs Upgraded

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Owning a home is great! There are many benefits… you can paint the walls whatever color you like, you can decorate the outside whenever you feel like it, there’s a yard your kids and pets can play in… but there are also some disadvantages – like when things start to break or get old. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is causing something to not work. Figure that out is only half the battle. With electrical issues, it can be hard to even troubleshoot the problem, let alone fix it.

When homeowners have issues with their electrical system, the big question is usually: Do I need a panel upgrade? Followed closely by the second question: How much does a panel upgrade cost? This article should help you figure out if a panel upgrade is necessary and the steps to determining a cost for it.

First off, what exactly is the main panel? The electrical panel is a hub of energy for your home. It connects all the electricity from the power lines outside your home to all the outlets inside your home. This is the place you find with a flashlight when your breakers have tripped off all the lights in your home.

Most days, homeowners don’t even think about their electrical panel. This is why when something goes wrong, it’s often a shock – no pun intended. As with all things in life, electrical panels will grow old and stop working. It’s important to check up on it from time to time. In addition to age and normal wear and tear, there are a few other reasons homeowners should replace their electrical panel.

Fuse Boxes
Homes built before the 1960s were equipped with fuses boxes. These were great back when there wasn’t a need for a lot of electricity. Nowadays, the strain that is put on an electrical box is greater. With circuit breakers, if there is too much power being required, it will trip to stop the flow of energy and protect the home from any dangers. Fuses do not have this safety capability and should be replaced to keep your home and family safe.

Older Homes
If your home was built more than 20 years ago, it might be a good idea to have your electrical system checked out. As with fuse boxes, older homes might have outdated panels or wiring that needs to be upgraded to go with today’s need.

Smells and Sounds
It’s never a good sign to smell burning or hear cracking sounds. If you are experiencing any strange sounds when it comes to your electrical panel, call an electrician immediately to get it looked at. Don’t just stop at your panel though. If you smell or hear anything in or around your outlets or switches, this could also be a sign there is something wrong with your panel.

Frequent Tripping
Even though the circuit breakers trip to provide safety for your home, they shouldn’t be tripping often. This could mean there is too much power being required from it. You may need a panel upgrade to handle all the load needed for your home.

Next comes the cost issues. Every panel upgrade situation is unique. A professional electrician should be able to ask you a few questions and give you a ballpark price before inspecting your home in person.

It is important to pay attention to the signs your home is showing you. The next time you’re searching for your tripped breakers in the dark, consider calling an electrician to see if you need a panel upgrade.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing electrical services to the people of LA county for over 30 years. We are experts when it comes to panel upgrades and house rewires. If you need any assistance, please give us a call.

Need Your House Rewired? Check These Signs

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

house rewire signs, outlet fireHow important is it really to make sure your house has adequate wiring? In the United States, fire departments across the country respond to over 25,000 home electrical fires every year. The U.S. Fire Administration has reported that these fires have caused 28- deaths, 1,125 injuries, and over $1 billion in property loss and damage.

The major cause in these house fires? Improperly installed outlets and receptacles, interior home wiring, and other miscellaneous home wirings.

These numbers may seem staggering, but there are simple steps to prevent your home from being another statistic. Schedule an appointment for a professional electrician to visit your home to check out the wiring. It may seem like a big expense to have your home completely rewired with a new panel installed, but considering the alternatives, it’s better to play it safe than sorry.

Fortunately, there are warning signs telling you if you need a house rewire. Your electrical system will often show you in advance that things are wrong. Below we have included a list of the signs to look out for.

  • Frequently blow fuses or breakers tripping
  • Overloaded electrical panel
  • Lights flickering or dimming randomly
  • Discolored or hot to touch switch plates, cords, or plugs
  • Frequently burned out light bulbs
  • Strange noises, such as sizzling or buzzing
  • Strange smells, such as a burning smell
  • Sparks when plugging things into outlets
  • Loose outlets
  • Insulation that is cracked or cut
  • Shocks when touching a cord

Other than warning signs, there are other situations that may call for a house rewire. It’s a good idea to have an electrician come out to check on your electrical system every few years. If your home is older than 40 years old or you have had any major renovations or remodels, you may need to have a new panel upgrade to support the use. Below are some other situations you may need a rewire.

  • Relying on extension cords to supply power
  • The use of ungrounded, two-prong outlets
  • The presence of aluminum wiring

Even if you are not experiencing any of these warning signs or solutions, an electrician can give you more details on the state of your electrical system in your home. If you haven’t had it checked in a while, be safe and call an electrician today.

The Electric Connection has been providing the Los Angeles area with house rewires and panel upgrades for over 30 years. If you are experiencing any issues, please call us today!

Best Electrician – Licensed and Insured

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

licensed insured electricianElectricity is used so much in our homes we might take for granted how dangerous it can be. Whenever homeowners need work done on their homes and it involved the electrical system, it’s necessary to call a licensed and insured electrician to help out. It might seem like a simple task to replace a light fixture or update an outlet, but the safest option is to go with a professional electrician.

When working with an electrician you are ensuring that your home and family are safe from any accidents that may occur if you try to perform the electrical work yourself. You are also ensuring that your insurance rates will not go up if you try to work on a DIY electrical project. But how do you find the best electrician near you? Take a look at our tips below for some assistance.

Year in Business

How long has the company you’re looking at been in the business? It’s possible to be a great electrical contracting company just out of the gate, but in order to find the best electrician possible, you’ll want to find someone who has been around for a while. Working with electrical isn’t an easy take and can be dangerous if not completed correctly. If you find an electrician who has been in business for a couple years, this is a good indication that they have made a lot of customers happy.

Ratings, References, and Reviews

The best place to look for a new electrician is with your friends and family. Getting a recommendation from someone you know is the best place to start. If your friends and family have trusted this electrician to do work on their homes, you can feel safe having them perform work on yours.

The next place is to look for reviews and ratings. Online websites, such as Yelp and Angie’s List, have been helping homeowners find the best service providers in their area. Read all the reviews to make sure the electrician you have chosen is competent and can perform the work you need to be completed.

Take a Look at Their Services

Make sure the electrician you have chosen can perform the work you need to be done. Many electricians specialize in different areas so it’s important to be sure they can complete the work you need to be completed before scheduling an appointment.

It can be a difficult task finding the best electrician to perform work in your home but if you follow these steps you’ll be on your way with your next electrical project in no time.

The Electric Connection has been providing Los Angeles residents and business owners with expert electrical services for over 30 years. Please contact us if you need any assistance.

Can Recessed Lighting Touch Insulation

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

recessed lighting installationA good look and design might not always be associated with efficiency. As homeowners, we want to be proud of our homes and we want to show them off to family, friends, and neighbors. The lighting in our homes should be modest unless you’re trying to display a beautiful lamp. The ideal range of an energy bill is low but that doesn’t mean we should cut corners.

Recessed lighting is a great choice if you want unobtrusive and energy efficient lighting but it can become very got. When turned on, a recessed light fixture produces a lot of heat inside the housing. This, in turn, makes the housing, which is located inside the ceiling, hot itself. Since recessed lighting is installed inside the ceiling, there is a chance that it may come into contact with insulation. This can often lead to fire hazards if not installed properly.

Fortunately, there is a solution. IC-rated recessed can lights are built with an outer wall that protects against any combustions that may occur if insulation were to come into contact with the housing.

What if you already have recessed lighting installed?

If you are unsure what type of recessed lighting you have installed and are worried it may be a potential fire hazard, it might be best to contact a local electrician. The electrician will be able to determine if the lighting you have is IC-rated, if it’s too close to the insulation, and if you need new lighting installed. You can also check yourself. Simply find the tag on the housing unit to see if it says “Type IC” or “Non-IC”. If you’re lighting is IC-rated, you are good to go. If not, you need to find out if it is too close to the insulation or not. If you have an accessible attic space, you can do this easily. If not, it may require a little more finesse.

If you do not already have IC-rated recessed lighting and the fixtures are close to the insulation, you have two choices: remove the insulation or contact an electrician for help. Unfortunately, removing the insulation might not be the best solution as you are messing with your home’s environment. Contacting an electrician for advice is the best bet here. They will be able to provide you with solutions that best fit your needs and that will keep your home safe.

The Electric Connection has been installing all types of lighting in the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. We have technicians providing excellent electrical services all over the city. If you need recessed lighting installed or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

What Does An Electrician Do?

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Los Angeles Electrical ContractorWorking as an electrician you can expect to do everything from installing to maintaining all electrical and power systems found in homes, businesses, or factories. If you take a look a the wiring or control equipment found in a structure, there’s a good chance, as an electrician, you will be working on it. Wherever electricity flows, you can find an electrician.

Like many fields, electricians often specialize in different areas, such as commercial or residential, installation or maintenance. For example, an electrician specializing in construction can often be found installing wiring for new buildings or homes. Residential electricians often focus more on homes and apartment buildings, whereas commercial electricians focus on working in buildings, such as offices or stores. It’s not uncommon to specialize in a multitude of things as well.

There are many tools an electrician must use throughout their day. For example, when an electrician is installing new wiring, you can see them using conduit benders, screwdrivers, pliers, and wire strippers. To test the wiring, tools such as voltmeters or ammeters are used. These tools are used to ensure the job is safe to start and safely completed.

When performing electrical maintenance, the work varies from day to day. There are many different components of electrical items so it greatly depends on where that electrician is working that day. Residential electricians will often provide a variety of jobs for homeowners, such as rewires or new ceiling fan installations. Commercial electrical jobs are more intense and require a bit more training. These electricians will be found repairing motors, transformers, or generators. A great skill that a commercial electrician also has is advising on which equipment works well together and which will cause hazards.

If you are considering becoming an electrician, be prepared to work indoors and outdoors, as well as inside attics and underneath homes. Work can be very strenuous sometimes and require the lifting of heavy items which standing and crouching for long periods of time. There are great risks of shocks, falls, and cuts if you’re not careful or know what you’re doing.

Each state varies in what is necessary to become a journeyman electrician. Schooling and testing and required in order to get your license. Many companies offer jobs as helpers for those who do not yet have their license. This will give a junior electrician the experience necessary to take the next step. You can also learn a lot by working with a professional electrician.

Working as an electrician can be a tough job but can be very rewarding work. To see a homeowner happy with a new installation or to see your work admired by customers can be a great feeling. Electricity runs the world so there should be no shortage of electrician jobs in the country.

The Electric Connection has been providing electrical services to the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. We are proud to provide homeowners and businesses with excellent services. If you need any electrical work done in your home or business, please contact us.

How to Upgrade a Panel Box

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

panel upgrade los angelesOlder homes are not set up to have enough amperage to manage all the elements in the home. The panels in older homes only have around 60 amps, while today’s panels have 200 amps or more. The electrical demands of an older home can cause the panel to trip frequently. If this is the case, it might be time to upgrade your panel. It’s important to understand that this job should not be taken on by someone who doesn’t know much about electrical systems. A professional electrician should be used in every panel upgrade.

The first step to upgrading your panel is to get the correct permissions. Before you dig into your circuit breaker panel, you need to check with your local building and safety. You will need to obtain a permit to start working on your electrical box. If you do not get the proper clearance first, you may get in trouble later. Once the job is complete you may have to call an inspector out to make sure the job was done to code.

After you have the correct permissions, the next step is to open up the panel and take a look at what you have. Check out what breakers control the different parts of the home. The bathroom and kitchen should be fine to leave alone but the power to other areas of the home may need to be assessed. Here is were a multimeter or voltmeter comes into play. Turn on all the power in your home and scan all the devices you are using. Take a look at the circuit load and compare it with the capacity. Doing this will help you see if it’s near the limit.

The next step is to install the panel. The most important step is to turn off all the electricity. This is vital as any electric going to the panel can cause great danger. Begin removing all the circuits from the panel and place them all to one side – you can scrap these all at a later time. Attach the new panel into the wall by screws and cut a small piece of insulation from the wires. Rewire the panel as it looked before and attach the circuit breakers to the panel.

The circuits that were overloaded or near to being overloaded should be divided into different parts now. Place the new circuit breakers into the new slots and locate the wires that need to be enlarged. Use these wires with the new breakers. Make sure that the neutral and grounded wires are placed securely before moving on.

Once you have completed the process, you should be up and running with a brand new panel. The tripping circuit breakers should be working fine now with the additional space for loads.

Please note that you should not complete this process unless you are sure you know what you are doing. A professional electrician is the best way to go if you are unsure.

The Electric Connection is proud to serve Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. We are professional electricians who specialize in new panel upgrades. If you think your panel needs to be upgraded, please contact us today.

Is Joining Two Extension Cords Illegal?

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

extension cord legalThe legalities of joining two extension cords vary state by state, most states it is legal to join two extension cords together. The important question to ask, though, is:

Is joining two extension cords safe?

In reality, nothing is really dangerous as long as the limitations of the cords are realized and they are plugged into the proper plug. Different cords and configurations will have different outcomes but in order to be completely safe, it is best to read as much as you can about the extension cords you have on hand.

It is important to use properly rated extension cords in any situations, especially if you are joining two together. Check the extension cord’s label for the wattage the cord can handle. If you can’t find any information, you might want to dispose of the cord as it might be very old. Make sure the two extension cords you want to use are the same rating. Be careful of the trip risk and everything should be fine.

It’s very easy to just plug in any extension cord into another one but this is not recommended. Cords can easily get overloaded as you are added on additional elements to the total power coming from the outlet. If you are to use an underrated extension cord there is a possibility for danger. Improper use on extension cords can lead to an excessive voltage drop which can cause overheating and fires. Be sure to check the wall for the temperature after 10 or 15 minutes of use. If it feels warm, you are nearing the maximum level for the cord and should not add any more devices.

To ensure you are properly using an extension cord, it might be best to just get one that is long enough to reach whatever you are trying power up. This way you won’t have to worry about finding the ones with the correct amperage to work together. You will also reduce the chances of tripping and unplugging one from the other.

Also, be sure you are using the extension cord with recommended devices. Never user an extension cord to power the following items:

  • Welders
  • Hot Water Heaters
  • Air Conditioner
  • Refrigerator

If you are unsure if you have the correct extension cords, please contact an electrician who can help you out. A professional electrician can give you more information and advice about extension cords and the possibility of just adding more outlets in your home. Additional outlets can bring power to the places you need them most and remove the risk caused by adding too many extension cords and power strips. If you are unsure, be safe and ask an electrician first.

The Electric Connection is proud to serve the Los Angeles area. We have been in business for over 30 years and have over 100 positive reviews. If you need electrical advice or services, please contact us today.

Dangers of Ignoring a House Rewire

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electrician installing new wiringHow dangerous is it, exactly, to ignore a house rewire for just another year? Will the old wiring in your home cause any damages if left alone? Fires and electrical shocks are always a concern when it comes to the electrical system in an older home. That’s why it’s important to not put off a house rewire if one is recommended by a professional electrician.

It’s hard to imagine the devastation of a house fire unless you’ve gone through one. It could easily be prevented by having an electrician inspect the wiring in your home to see if a house rewire is necessary.

Since the wiring is out of sight, it’s easy to overlook it and push it out of your mind. Other than simply just having an older home, what sort of warning signs should you look out for?

Knob and Tube Wiring

Older homes were built with a wiring technique called knob and tube. This old-fashioned system uses copper conductors supported by knob insulators passed through porcelain tubes. Knob and tube wiring is single-insulated and can be compromised if not meticulously kept up with.

Older Insulation

In addition to being used with knob and tube wiring, insulation can cause issues with other types of wiring. Wiring can and will deteriorate and when it does it can leave exposed wires. If these wires come into contact with the insulation in your walls, you could have a pretty messy situation on your hands.

Haphazard Modifying of Wiring

A lot of people think they can tackle the troubleshooting of their electrical systems by themselves. DIYers can often cause more problems than they fix which is why all things electrical should be left up to the professionals.

Lower Amperage

Today’s technology is more advanced than ever so if your home still relies on a low amperage panel, it might not be up to date. If you notice a lot of breakers tripping, it might mean you are putting too much strain on your electrical panel.

What should you do if you think you need a house rewire? Call an electrician to come out and assess your situation. They might even be able to help over the phone. Often a house rewire consultation will be free of charge since it’s such a large job. Be sure to check reviews of any electricians you find to see if they can perform your job. They should be able to also help with any permitting that is required.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been rewiring homes in the area for over 30 years. Our teams of electricians are all licensed, insured, and bonded, bringing you the best electrical services in the area. If you think you might need a house rewire, don’t hesitate to give us a call.